Minimally invasive technologies are opening up new opportunities in neurosurgery, especially in the diagnosis and therapy of intracranial defects. Depending on the requirements of the operation, either rigid or flexible endoscopes are used in intracranial surgery. With endoscopes of differing viewing angles of 0°, 30°, 70° an 120°, the neurosurgeon can see into the brain to an extent that was not previously possible with a microscope and can carry out more extensive surgery.

Indications for the use of the neuroendoscope in neurosurgery are as follows:

• Occlusive hydrocephalus (ventriculostomy)

• Intraventricular processes (e.g. tumors and cysts)

• Arachnoidal cysts and cystic cerebral tumors

• Intraventricular hemorrhages and other intraventricular interventions

• Endoscopically assisted neurosurgery (base of the skull)

• Transnasal transsphenoidal pituitary gland surgery